6-Drop Limit Policy (Senate Bill 1231)

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TEC 51.907 Course Drop Limit Provisions

Students who enroll as entering freshmen or first-time in college students in undergraduate courses offered through an affected institution of higher education for the first time during the Fall 2007 semester or any subsequent semester are subject to the course drop limit of six course drops including any course a transfer student has dropped at another affected institution.

INSTITUTIONS AFFECTED

Texas public community colleges, technical institutes/colleges, health science institutions offering undergraduate course work, and universities must comply with the legislation of TEC 51.907.

STUDENTS AFFECTED

Students who enroll as entering freshmen or first-time in college students in undergraduate courses offered through an affected institution of higher education for the first time during the Fall 2007 semester or any subsequent semester are subject to the course drop limit restrictions. Transfer students who first enrolled at a Texas public institution during the Fall 2007 semester or subsequent semester are considered first time in college and are affected by the six course drop limit. Students who elect to use the provisions of Academic Fresh Start who have coursework prior to the Fall 2007 semester are grandfathered and are not subject to TEC 51.907. Students who have completed a baccalaureate degree at any recognized public or private institution are not considered affected students whether or not taking additional undergraduate courses.

COURSE DROP DEFINITION

A course drop, which will be recorded on the transcript, is defined as an affected credit course not completed by an undergraduate student who:

1. is enrolled in the course at the official date of record*, and 2. will receive a non-punitive grade of W.

*Date of Record varies according to the semester/session.

SEMESTER/SESSION

DATE OF RECORD*

Spring

Census Date

Summer Sessions

Census Date

Fall

Census Date

Winter/Maymester

Census Date

OTHER FACTORS REGARDING COURSE DROP LIMIT

Transfer students who are affected by this legislation shall be required to submit all transfer institution transcripts for processing of the transfer course drops which apply to the limit prior to being allowed to utilize any drops at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU). If the transfer transcript does not indicate any drops toward the limit, TAMIU will set the drop count for that institution at zero.

If a student was granted a drop at TAMIU and the Office of the University Registrar later learns that the drop counter was set incorrectly, the office will update the student’s record to correct the counter. If the student has exceeded the six course drop limit, the drop will be removed and the faculty member of the associated course will be contacted to issue the appropriate grade.

WITHDRAWAL DEFINITION

A student is considered to have withdrawn from the institution when the student drops all courses during the semester.

EXCLUDED COURSES FROM LIMIT

Drops from the following types of courses are excluded from the course drop limit.

A) Courses taken by students while enrolled in high school – whether for dual credit, early college credit, or for college credit alone B) Courses dropped at private or out-of-state institutions C) Remedial or developmental courses, workforce education courses, or other courses that would not generate academic credit that could be applied to a degree D) Courses taken as required co-requisites such as a lecture class with a required laboratory are counted as one drop whether or not identified as separate courses or as separate sections of a course. E) Courses which meet the definition of complete withdrawal

STUDENT EXCEPTIONS

Students may petition to drop more than the 6-course limit, or to drop a course and not have the drop count against the 6-course limit. These petitions will be reviewed by committee.

The following circumstances will be considered:

A severe illness or other debilitating condition that affects the student's ability to satisfactorily complete the course.

The student's responsibility to provide the care of a sick, injured, or needy person such that providing the care affects the student's ability to satisfactorily complete the course.

The death of a person considered to be a member of the student's family or someone who is otherwise considered to have a sufficiently close relationship to the student.

The student's active duty service as a member of the military or of a person considered to be a member of the student's family or someone who is otherwise considered to a have a sufficiently close relationship to the student.

A change of the student's work schedule that is beyond the control of the student and that affects the student's ability to satisfactorily complete the course.

Other good causes as determined by the University on an individual basis.

* Please note that documentation must be provided in support of any of the circumstances noted above.

The following circumstances will not be considered valid reasons for requesting an exception to the 6-course drop limit:

An attempt to avoid scholastic probation.

Failing a course.

Possibility of receiving a grade that will lower the grade point average.

Please note that this policy may vary from other institutions. For more information on this policy, contact the Office of the University Registrar.

APPEAL PROCESSi. Students who feel that a drop should be exempt from the drop limit must complete the "Appeal for Exemption to 6-Course Limit Drop Policy" form and provide documentation to the Office of the University Registrar by the end of the term of the course(s) in question.

1. The appeal should state the course(s) that should be considered for not counting and the reason(s) why they should not count. 2. Documentation is required. 3. Dropped courses may only be appealed in the term they were dropped. 4. A student may not drop from a course in which a final grade has been assigned.

ii.The Office of the University Registrar will approve/disapprove based on information provided. These decision(s) are considered final and binding.

Please note that this policy and the appeal process may vary from other institutions. For more information, please contact the Office of the University Registrar.